ATH New Release: The Big Book of Painters 2026 Is Now Available For Pre-Order
Some books begin long before their pages come together. They begin with an idea, a feeling, or a wish to bring artists and their work a little closer to the people who would love to discover them. At Arts to Hearts Project, every book is a journey of its own, from announcing an open call and bringing together a jury to carefully selecting the artists, preparing the pages, and finally seeing the finished publication come to life. Every step carries its own excitement, and we approach each one with the same care, thought, and love for the artists who make these books possible.
Today, we are delighted to share the next chapter of that journey: The Big Book of Painters 2026, now available for pre-order. Bringing together more than 100 painters from around the world, this beautiful hardcover edition celebrates the many ways artists see, interpret, and make sense of the world through painting. With Alejandro Pasquale as the cover artist, the book opens with his striking botanical portraiture before inviting readers into a collection that spans portraiture, realism, abstraction, landscapes, still life, and experimental approaches to the medium.
Beyond the artworks themselves, this edition offers readers the opportunity to hear directly from artists through conversations with Alejandro Pasquale, Nicola Pucci, Michele Poirier Mozzone, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge, and Bronte Taton. Alongside award-winning works and artist insights, these pages bring together different perspectives, creative journeys, and ways of approaching a practice that continues to evolve across the world.
Finished with a premium hardcover and elegant gold-foil detailing, The Big Book of Painters 2026 is designed to be more than a collection of artworks to browse. It is a book to return to, to keep close, and to enjoy slowly, whether on a collector’s shelf, in a personal art library, or on a coffee table shared with fellow art lovers. Most importantly, it brings the work of more than 100 painters into one thoughtfully produced volume, offering readers the pleasure of discovering art beyond the screen and experiencing it in print.
As part of the ongoing publishing series by Arts to Hearts Project, this new release reflects our continued commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for artists to share their work and for audiences to discover the people and stories behind it. We are so happy to finally bring this edition to you, and we cannot wait for you to turn its pages. The Big Book of Painters 2026 is now available for pre-order.
About The Project
The Big Book is a global publishing project by Arts to Hearts Project, created to bring artists together through thoughtfully produced books that celebrate the many directions contemporary creative practice can take. What began with a simple question, what happens when artists working within the same creative world are brought together in one publication, has grown into an ongoing series documenting the ideas, approaches, and voices shaping art today.
The project began in 2024 with The Big Book of Young Artists, celebrating young creatives between the ages of 2 and 18. Since then, more than 1,300 young artists have been brought together across its first three editions, building the foundation for a publishing project that continues to make room for more artists, stories, and creative practices.
With The Big Book of Painters 2026, the series takes another exciting step forward. Bringing together more than 100 painters from around the world, this edition explores the many ways painting can be approached, experienced, and understood. Each volume becomes a record of a creative community at a particular moment in time, preserving the different ideas, techniques, and perspectives that make the art world so wonderfully varied.
For the artists featured, being part of The Big Book means having their work brought together in a lasting publication, one they can revisit and share beyond the digital spaces where art is so often discovered. For readers and collectors, it offers an opportunity to encounter artists from different backgrounds and practices within a single volume.
As Arts to Hearts Project continues to expand the series beyond young artists, future editions will explore other disciplines and creative practices, allowing the collection to grow across generations, countries, materials, and ways of working. At its heart, The Big Book is about creating a shared space for artists and giving their work a place in an evolving record of contemporary creativity.
Meet The Award Winners
Every book comes together through a meeting of different voices, ideas, and creative journeys. In The Big Book of Painters 2026, featured and invited artists share these pages alongside painters discovered through our open call, each bringing something of their own to the collection. Together, they make this edition what it is: a reflection of the many ways painting can take shape, the stories that find their way onto a canvas, and the individuality that makes every artistic practice worth discovering.
Among the many artists featured in this edition, we are delighted to celebrate the recipients of the $500 Cash Award and the two runner-up recognitions. These awards acknowledge artists whose work stood out to our jury for its strength, individuality, and the dedication reflected in their creative practice.
Winner: Huaixuan Xiang
We are delighted to recognize Huaixuan Xiang as the recipient of the $500 Cash Award. This recognition celebrates the strength of an artistic voice and the individuality that makes a creative practice its own. As part of The Big Book of Painters 2026, Huaixuan’s achievement adds another meaningful moment to a collection built around bringing artists and their work into a shared space.
First Runner-Up: Sanjay Kumar
Our first runner-up, Sanjay Kumar, is recognized for the work and creative commitment that earned a place among this edition’s award recipients. Being selected as a runner-up is a wonderful part of celebrating the different artistic voices that come together in this book, each contributing to a broader conversation around contemporary painting.
Second Runner-Up: Penelope Lau
Penelope Lau receives the second runner-up recognition for the strength, individuality, and dedication reflected in her creative practice. This acknowledgment celebrates the care artists bring to their work and the distinct perspectives they contribute to a collection shaped by many different approaches to painting.
We warmly congratulate Huaixuan Xiang, Sanjay Kumar, and Penelope Lau on their recognition. Their achievements are an important part of this edition, reminding us that behind every artwork is a practice shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a desire to express something uniquely one’s own. We are grateful to have these artists as part of The Big Book of Painters 2026.
Heartfelt Conversations With Artists
Before diving into the beautiful artworks of more than 100 painters featured in The Big Book of Painters 2026, we begin with something just as special: the voices behind the work. Every artist carries a world of their own, shaped by the things they notice, the questions they return to, the experiences that stay with them, and the countless little moments that find their way onto a canvas. Sometimes, looking at a painting is only the beginning of getting to know an artist. Hearing them speak about their practice allows us to come a little closer to the person behind the work.
This edition opens with conversations with five remarkable artists: Alejandro Pasquale, Nicola Pucci, Michele Poirier Mozzone, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge, and Bronte Taton. Each brings a distinct perspective to the world of painting, offering readers a glimpse into their creative journeys, the ideas that shape their work, and the individual ways they find meaning through their practice. These conversations give the collection a more personal beginning, inviting us to look beyond the finished artwork and appreciate the thought, feeling, and dedication that go into making it.
In Conversation With Alejandro Pasquale, The Cover Artist
As the cover artist of The Big Book of Painters 2026, Alejandro Pasquale welcomes readers into this edition through his striking botanical portraiture. His work sets the tone for the pages that follow, offering a first glimpse into the imaginative possibilities of painting and the many ways an artist can bring their own sensibility to the canvas.
Beginning the book with a conversation with Alejandro gives readers the opportunity to connect with the artist behind the cover before exploring the wider collection. It is a lovely reminder that every artwork has a story beyond what we see, and that getting to know the person who made it can bring an entirely new dimension to the experience of looking.
Conversations With Nicola Pucci, Michele Poirier Mozzone, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge, And Bronte Taton
Alongside Alejandro Pasquale, this edition features conversations with Nicola Pucci, Michele Poirier Mozzone, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge, and Bronte Taton. Each artist brings their own experiences, sensibilities, and creative approaches to these pages, offering readers different ways to think about what it means to build a life around painting.
Together, these conversations celebrate the individuality that makes the artistic community so rich. They remind us that there is no single way to become an artist, develop a practice, or find a visual language that feels true to you. By making room for these voices at the beginning of the book, we hope readers will carry that sense of curiosity with them as they turn the pages and discover the many painters gathered throughout this edition.
Meet The 100 Selected Artists Of The Big Book Of Painters 2026
At the heart of The Big Book of Painters 2026 are the 100 artists who have made this edition what it is. Each brings a different way of seeing the world, a distinct creative voice, and a body of work shaped by their own experiences, questions, and imagination. Together, their paintings create a collection that is rich in perspectives, full of discovery, and a beautiful reminder of how many different stories the language of art can hold. We are deeply grateful to every artist who has become part of this journey and trusted us with their work. This book would not be the same without them, and we are so happy to finally share their art with you.
Bring The Big Book Of Painters 2026 Home
A book like this is made one artist, one artwork, and one thoughtful decision at a time. From the first idea to the final printed pages, The Big Book of Painters 2026 has been brought together with so much love, care, and appreciation for the artists who make it possible. We hope it finds a place on your bookshelf, your coffee table, or somewhere you can return to whenever you need a little inspiration.
If you love discovering new artists, spending time with beautiful paintings, and collecting books that bring creative voices together in one place, we would love for you to be part of this journey.
Visit the link below to pre-order your copy of The Big Book of Painters 2026 and be among the first to welcome this special edition into your art collection. We cannot wait for you to experience the pages we have been so happy to bring to life.
